Sen. Maynard suffers serious injury in fall

State Sen. Andrew Maynard, D-Stonington, was in serious condition at Rhode Island Hospital after he fell from an outside staircase at his Grandview Park home and landed on the sidewalk below at 2:39 a.m. Monday.

Maynard, 52, was taken to Westerly Hospital and then transferred to Rhode Island Hospital. Police said a neighbor witnessed Maynard’s fall from “a significant height” and called police. The staircase leads to the second floor of the home that Maynard has rented the past several years.

Police Capt. Jerry Desmond said the fall, which occurred while Maynard was carrying an object up the stairs, appears to have been an accident, but police are continuing their investigation.

Former borough warden Dorothy Papp, who owns the home Maynard rents and lives in an adjacent cottage, said Monday she did not witness the incident. She said she and others who know Maynard are just praying he recovers.

Late Monday afternoon, the hospital said that at the request of Maynard’s family, it would not be releasing any further information about his condition.

State Rep. Diana Urban, D-North Stonington, said she learned of Maynard’s accident early Monday morning. She said she heard that Maynard, who represents the 18th District, sustained a serious head injury.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with him,” she said. “He’s not only my colleague but one of my dearest friends. He’s an amazing legislator. I’m hoping he recovers rapidly and is back with us.”

Senate President Donald E. Williams Jr., D-Brooklyn, and Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, issued a statement Monday morning: “Senator Maynard suffered an injury while at home over the weekend. Family members are with him now, at an area hospital, and are caring for him. His family is asking for privacy while he convalesces.”

Maynard, who is deputy majority leader, serves as chairman of the transportation committee and vice chair of the environment committee and is member of the appropriations and education committees.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy and his loved ones,” Malloy and Wyman said. “Working with him has been an honor and a privilege. He is a powerful voice for his district and for the issues he cares about. We join the rest of our colleagues in wishing him a full and fast recovery.”

The Connecticut Democratic Party said in a statement from Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo: “Our prayers are with Andy and his family. A tireless advocate for his constituents, he embodies the values of this state like few do. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

Added Democratic Party Executive Director Jonathan Harris: “I served with Andy in the Senate, and he is an extraordinary legislator, a model citizen, a friend and a great guy. He fights for what he believes in. My thoughts are with him and his family during this difficult time.”